The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced October 27, 2025 that Social Security benefits will increase 2.8%, beginning in 2026. Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries, including those receiving Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI), will see a 2.8% Cost-Of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increase, beginning January 2026. Nearly 7.5 million people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will see an increase begin on December 31, 2025. Retirement benefits will increase by an average of $56 per month.
Over the past decade, COLA increases have averaged 3.1%, with a 2.5% adjustment currently in effect for 2025, according to the SSA.
“Social Security is a promise kept, and the annual cost-of-living adjustment is one way we ensure benefits reflect today’s economic realities,” said Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. “The COLA is a vital part of how Social Security delivers on its mission.”
Other annual adjustments are tied to changes in average wages. In 2026, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax will rise from $176,100 to $184,500.
Beneficiaries will begin receiving COLA notices by mail in early December. As in previous years, the SSA will send a simplified, one-page notice clearly stating each person’s new benefit amount, deductions, and effective dates.
Those with a My Social Security account can securely view their COLA notice online and sign up for text or email alerts when new messages are available. To receive an online notice, users must create or sign in to their account and opt out of paper notices by November 19, 2025, at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. The online portal also allows users to request replacement cards, check claim status, and access SSA-1099 forms.
Information regarding 2026 Medicare changes will be available at www.medicare.gov. Medicare premium amounts for 2026 will appear in the My Social Security Message Center in late November. Those who have not opted for electronic notifications will receive their COLA and Medicare information by mail in December.
Under the Social Security Act, annual COLA adjustments are based on increases in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), as calculated by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you have questions about your benefits? Our experienced Social Security Disability lawyers at Walters & Zinn, Attorneys at Law can discuss your legal options and ensure your rights are protected. To schedule a free consultation, call today at 916-610-4706 or contact us online. With office locations in Folsom and Fairfield, California, we proudly serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.